Foot Care | Carrollton Foot Center

The Right Plate for You

November 9, 2020/in Diabetes Awareness, Foot Care /by Dr. Khavari

Thanksgiving is almost here, and it’s time to make plans for your favorite dishes. If you have diabetes, think twice before skipping blood sugar checks or fueling your body with the wrong foods. November is American Diabetes Month, and Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari of the Carrollton Foot Center wants to help you choose the right foods this season. Unhealthy blood sugar levels can be life-threatening for patients.

What is diabetes?

There are multiple forms, but Type 2 is most commonly diagnosed. If you have this form, your body is unable to use insulin properly. For many people, this means they will need insulin or medication to manage their blood sugar levels. For others, a diet or exercise change may help, too.

How can you monitor your blood sugar?

Understanding your blood sugar is a foundational step of diabetes management. If your blood sugar is too high or too low, you’re in danger of experiencing complications. We recommend keeping a log of your blood sugar levels and checking them regularly. These notes are helpful for visits with your doctor, and they help you understand which levels allow you to feel your best.

Which foods should you choose?

According to the American Diabetes Association, there are a few components of a healthy meal plan. Start here when planning your Thanksgiving menu:

Fruits and vegetables
Lean meats and plant-based sources of protein
Less added sugar
Less processed foods

When should you call the doctor?

We’re always here for you — even during the holidays. For patients with diabetes, podiatrists are a part of their care team—many complications impact feet and ankles. If you have a slow-healing wound, numbness, tingling, or other concerns, don’t hesitate to call. These could be signs of foot issues.

You’re not alone in your diabetes diagnosis. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari, is here to support you and provide care for your feet and ankles. Call us at (469) 998-3668. Our office is at 4221 Medical Parkway, STE 450, in Carrollton, TX.

Improve Your Balance and Strength to Help Prevent Falls

September 8, 2020/in Foot Care /by Dr. Khavari

We’ll be entering a new season this month. September is also the time when we raise awareness about the dangers of falls. There are a few things you can do inside your home to reduce the chances of you or your loved ones falling. Did you know you can also do simple exercises to improve your balance and strength? Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari of the Carrollton Foot Center has three exercises to get you started as we celebrate Falls Prevention Awareness Month.

Who should try these exercises?

Although falls can happen at any age, seniors are the most vulnerable. For adults who are 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of death and injury. It benefits everyone to improve their balance and strength, so why not take some preventative steps? Try these exercises now and join in with a senior loved one.

Heel lifts
For this exercise, begin by standing with both of your feet flat. Then, raise your heels and stand on your tiptoes. Stay in this position for one second and lower your heels back to the ground so your feet are once again flat.

Heel to toe walk
Using your heel as your guide, slowly walk forward. Then, place one heel in front of the other. You will want to do this for 20 steps.

Sit to stand
First, find a sturdy chair. Next, take a seat in the chair and place both feet on the floor. Then, stand using only your legs. Finally, slowly sit down again. Feel free to hold your arms out in front or cross them.

To avoid an injury while exercising, we recommend you first schedule an appointment with our office. Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari can assess your overall foot health to see if exercising is safe for your body. She can also help by completing an in-house fall risk assessment; we continue to follow CDC guidelines in our office. Call us at (469) 998-3668, located at 4221 Medical Parkway, STE 450, Carrollton, TX.

Back to School Homework

August 12, 2020/in Foot Care, Pediatric Foot Care /by Dr. Khavari

The Back to School Season is here, so that means we have some preparation homework to complete. Before your kids begin classes — online or in-person — there are a few things to consider. School supplies, of course, but what about your child’s shoes? Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari of the Carrollton Foot Center is here to remind you of a few more to-do items so your child is prepared for the first day.

Verify the size

It might be time for another pair of shoes. Children’s feet grow quickly, but it can be easy to assume they are still wearing the same size. It is especially true if you don’t hear complaints. Depending on the age, a child may give you other signs, including skipping over a certain pair of shoes or no longer doing the activities they enjoy. To avoid guessing, have your child’s feet measured properly.

Check for a full recovery

If your child had an injury recently, schedule an appointment with our office so we can confirm a full recovery. Returning to running, jumping, or walking in the wrong shoes can cause a reinjury. Pay attention to how your child moves throughout the day. Look for hesitation or signs of discomfort. Don’t ignore these signs.

Ask about orthotics

Custom orthotics are devices used to help fix foot and ankle conditions. For children, orthotics are helpful because they correct issues at an early age and promote healthy development. These devices are just for your children, so we are focusing specifically on areas causing pain or discomfort. Schedule an appointment with us to see if orthotics are the best option for your child.

We’re still here to help. We continue to follow CDC guidelines to protect you and our staff, and we are ready to support your family and kick off a healthy school year. If you’re not ready to visit our office, consider our telemedicine option. You will receive the same excellent care. Call us at (469) 998-3668. We are located at 4221 Medical Parkway, STE 450, Carrollton, TX.

June is Men’s Health Month

June 8, 2020/in Foot Care /by Dr. Khavari

June is here! For many, this means the start of summer and fun outdoor activities. Summer snacks and sports are included, too. While this season may look a bit different as we are slowly returning to normal activities, let’s not forget to use this month to raise awareness. June is Men’s Health Month. Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari of the Carrollton Foot Center has a few simple ways to celebrate this month with the special men in your lives.

Make an appointment

Is it time for a visit to the doctor? Talk with the men in your life about their health and if they are maintaining a regular schedule with annual appointments. Prevention is a powerful tool. Knowing risk factors or detecting problems early can save your life. If you’re free, tag along for the visit and provide encouragement — and accountability.

Talk about the past

Sometimes we forget to talk about our past health issues. They can have an impact on our future if we don’t make lifestyle changes. For the men in your life, learn more about health issues that may be commonly diagnosed in families. This can be high blood pressure or diabetes. Also, be careful not to skip over mental health. Be a good listener and provide resources for support.

Don’t forget about feet

It happens more than you think — people overlook their feet. When considering health, don’t forget about foot and ankle health. From discolored or brittle toenails to slow-healing wounds on your feet or ankles, there are clear signs of the health of your body. While encouraging men to make an appointment, don’t exclude a visit to the podiatrist.

We’re still practicing social distancing to protect our neighbors from COVID-19. If you are concerned about the health of your feet or ankles, call us at (469) 998-3668. We also encourage patients to use our telemedicine option. We are committed to answering your questions and providing great service during this time. We are located at 4221 Medical Parkway, STE 450, Carrollton, TX.

Strategies for Stinky Shoes

September 11, 2019/in Foot Care, Proper Footwear /by Dr. Khavari

Are stinky shoes a problem in your household? It’s a lot harder for us to notice our bodily scents than it is for others to notice. While you may just be realizing it today, the person that sat next to you on the bus last week might have been well aware. What even causes our shoes to reek? Carrollton Foot Center has one word: moisture. This could be from sweat, walking in the rain, anything that might get your shoes wet. When they’re not properly aerated after exposure to moisture, this leaves the moisture (sweat, water, etc.) to sit and grow the bacteria necessary to cause odors. This bacteria can even contribute to infections when exposed to broken skin or lead to developing the fungi responsible for athlete’s foot. If you’re lucky enough to catch it early, there are quick and easy ways to reduce the stink your shoes might be causing.

Step One:

Unlace your shoes and take the insoles out. Put these into the wash with other clothing items on a gentle, low cycle – often labeled as a ‘delicate’ cycle. If possible, use regular, unscented detergent and air dry them after they’re done washing. While it’s no doubt that our insoles can hold a lot of stink, you would be surprised at the capability of shoelaces to hold odor!

Step Two:

Tap the soles of your shoes together outside to loosen up debris. Get a basin of lukewarm water and add some dye-free, unscented detergent to it. Mix it thoroughly. Get a soft-bristled scrubbing brush and dip its bristles into the water. Using the scrubbing brush, gently scrub away any remaining debris.

Step Three:

Using the same cleaning solution in step two, dampen a cloth into the mixture. After wringing out your cloth, use it to dab and rub away stains and smudges. This can take some elbow grease! Once all the spots are gone, wring out the cloth and soak up excess moisture. Leave them to dry in a ventilated area overnight.

And voila! Your shoes will be rid of a considerable amount of dirt, debris, and bacteria that can cause odors to form. Your feet will thank you immediately! For other tips and foot issues, reach out to Dr. Lilly Khavari and schedule your appointment at our location in Carrollton, Texas which serves Denton, Dallas and Collin Counties. Call us today at 469-998-3668.

How Are Feet Connected to the Heart?

August 13, 2019/in Ankle Pain, Foot Care /by Dr. Khavari

There is never a dull moment in the world of medicine! With how expansive the realm of illnesses, diseases, and conditions can be, it makes sense when you think about how symptoms can overlap between different areas of medicine.

The connections between the world of cardiology and podiatry can be surprising to most people. Depending on what foot issues your podiatrist is addressing, this may also clue you in to what could be beneficial to bring up with a cardiologist. In a recent interview, a podiatrist working in a hospital with a neighboring cardiology department noted that over 80% of their patients also saw a cardiologist. This podiatrist, however, specialized in the types of issues that most commonly overlap with cardiology: non-healing wounds, patients at high risk of amputation, circulatory disorders, and diabetic patients.

Not every podiatry patient will need to see a cardiologist, but there are a few tell-tale signs that you may benefit from a trip to the cardiologist in addition to seeing your podiatrist:

Are your feet regularly puffy or swollen, even slightly?
Have you ever had a foot or ankle injury that took an excessive amount of time to heal?
Do you ever struggle with healing from ulcers or even just blisters on your feet?
Are you at risk of developing diabetes, or already have diabetes?
Have you developed any other conditions with a high instance of comorbidity, like congestive heart failure, hypertension, nerve disease, or artery disease?

It can be difficult to navigate when and where it’s appropriate to bring up issues you’re unsure are worth mentioning. As it turns out, Dr. Lilly Khavari at Carrollton Foot Center encourages her patients to bring up any and every change they’ve noticed when it comes to foot and ankle health. Call us today at 469-998-3668 or visit our location in Carrollton, Texas serving Denton, Dallas, and Collin County.

Ready, Set, HIKE!

July 10, 2019/in Exercise, Foot Care, Hiking /by Dr. Khavari

Are you hoping to get out and about on the trails for a hike this summer season? If you haven’t already, start planning! Texas is fast approaching the time of year when hiking is best done very early in the morning or not at all due to the heat. There are several benefits to hiking when it comes to our health and wellbeing, however just like anything else, there are risks, too.

Hiking Risks & Benefits

Hiking can be an easy way to get yourself hurt. As an activity, hiking relies primarily on your feet and ankles to get you around the trails you’re exploring. Most instances of hiking related injuries happen to involve the person’s feet or ankles due to walking on rough, slippery, soft, or uneven terrain. When you’re out hiking, you are much more exposed to potentially harmful parts of nature: jagged sticks and rocks that can lead to cuts and scrapes, as well as poison ivy or insects that can cause intense itching, scratching, and potentially lead to infection.

If you ask us, the benefits outweigh the risks – especially when you take the time to prepare for these situations before going on a hike! There are plenty of ways we can prepare ahead of time to help make our next hiking trip even more safe and exciting:

Research your trails ahead of time. What terrains will you be walking on?
What’s the weather going to be like? Is it better to go early before it gets hot?
Have you purchased a first aid kit yet?
Will you have enough water, or access to refill your water containers?
Do you have a plan in case of emergency, like falling and hurting your ankle?
Are your shoes appropriate for your hike?

Sandals can be more comfortable and allow better airflow, but this leaves them vulnerable to insect bites, cuts and scrapes, and sunburn. We hope these questions you can ask yourself before a hike will help you be better prepared for your next adventure! Remember, any foot or ankle aches or pains that last longer than a day or two after your hike shouldn’t go ignored. Call us today at (469) 998-FOOT (3668) to set up an appointment with Dr. Lily Khavari at Carrollton Foot Center in Carrollton, Texas. We proudly serve Denton, Dallas and Collin Counties.

Foot Safety This Fall

November 14, 2018/in Foot Care, Foot Safety /by Dr. Khavari

Are you keeping your feet in mind this fall when it comes to foot safety? With the passing of the hot, humid season, it can be easy for us to linger on the comfort of incoming cooler, more comfortable weather. With that cooler, more comfortable weather comes gusts of wind that help trees relieve themselves of their leaves and rainfall that turns those leaves into a hazard. How?

After a few weeks of being left on the ground to pile up, their interactions with water and dirt trigger the process of decomposition. In summary, those leaves then start to break apart into a slimy, slippery substance meant to fertilize the land for seasons to come.

When they become slimy and slippery, this can pose a risk to anyone walking on them. The danger of wet leaves is even more important to note if you have any foot or ankle issues, like weakened ankles due to repeated sprains, or tender, painful conditions like plantar fasciitis and bunions.

Ways to avoid unnecessary injury and discomfort this fall season

Invest in GREAT shoes – there is a lot that goes into what makes shoes great rather than just good. Good shoes can be comfortable, but great shoes are comfortable, supportive, and offer textured soles to increase your grip in slippery climates.

Avoid trouble areas – when and where possible, try to avoid walking through pathways littered with wet leaves, mud, or puddles. If and when you have to walk through a risky area, grab something to help stabilize you.

Tools of the trade – be sure to utilize the best tool of them all when it comes to keeping your foot and ankle health a top priority: your podiatrist! Dr. Lilly Khavari offers several types of advanced treatment methods, like bone stimulation, shockwave therapy, and custom orthotics. These tools can treat a range of conditions, from osteoarthritis pain to plantar fasciitis and fallen arches.

Want to feel more prepared this fall? Give us a call today at (469) 998-3668 to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Khavari at Carrollton Foot Center in Carrollton, Texas.